Elon Musk access to the Department of Energy still carries risks. Even if DOGE cannot directly compromise the nuclear weapons arsenal.
What was once unthinkable is now a topic of serious debate. Elon Musk, the richest person in the world, has emerged as a key figure in President Donald Trump’s administration. Through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has gained unprecedented access to government computer systems and data. Earlier this week, concerns escalated when it was revealed that DOGE had access to systems within the Department of Energy (DOE). The agency responsible for overseeing America’s nuclear arsenal. In response, Energy Secretary Chris Wright publicly denied that Musk or DOGE had access to nuclear secrets. Though the disclosure itself raised alarm.
Given past instances of the Trump administration misleading the public on DOGE’s level of access. The mere need for such a public clarification raises serious questions. The fact that a pseudo-department—named after a Shiba Inu meme—may have any connection to the nation’s nuclear infrastructure is deeply concerning. While Musk’s growing influence over government operations is undeniable, direct control over nuclear weapons remains an entirely different matter. Even in an era of shifting governance norms. It is crucial to assess what safeguards remain in place and what additional risks his involvement could pose.
The U.S. Nuclear Weapons Arsenal and the Chain of Command
The United States possesses one of the most powerful nuclear arsenals in the world—capable of wiping out humanity multiple times over. However, the authority to launch these weapons rests solely with the President. Despite DOGE’s increasing presence within government systems. Gaining direct control over nuclear weapons would require more than unauthorized access to the right office.
At a press conference on Friday, Trump revealed that he had tasked Musk and DOGE with overseeing the Pentagon’s budget. And suggested that access to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) could also be possible. While this raised concerns, experts emphasize that gaining access to nuclear command and control systems is nearly impossible from a standard government computer network.
A State Department official, speaking anonymously to The Verge, dismissed the idea that Musk could influence nuclear operations, saying, “I don’t see what [Musk] could do. It’s zero, in my perspective. These systems are completely separate.”
Launching a nuclear weapon requires physical access. Missileers must turn keys, submarine crews must follow strict protocols, and bomber pilots must physically engage targeting mechanisms. None of this can be done remotely or through digital access alone. As the State Department official put it, “It won’t happen unless Musk or his people physically enter a missile silo, board a stealth bomber, or infiltrate a nuclear submarine.”
The Obsolete Yet Secure U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure
Unlike common misconceptions, U.S. nuclear weapons do not automatically launch in response to an attack. If a foreign adversary—such as China, Russia, or North Korea—were to launch a nuclear strike, the U.S. President would need to make a decision, with military officials required to confirm and execute the order.
The nuclear command and control system operates on a closed, highly secure network, completely disconnected from the internet. Many of its components date back to the 1960s and 1970s. While the Pentagon has been slowly modernizing its systems, some critical components—such as the floppy disks once used in nuclear launch computers—were only phased out as recently as 2019.
According to nuclear historian Alex Wellerstein, “These systems are not ‘hackable’ in the way people worry about. Frankly, they’re too outdated for that.” However, he warns that Musk could attempt a different approach—manipulating Trump into believing nuclear war is imminent. Given Trump’s impulsiveness and Musk’s influence, this scenario is not entirely far-fetched.
The “Football,” the “Biscuit,” and the Real Risks
For Elon Musk to facilitate a nuclear launch, he would need access to the “Football”—a leather-bound aluminum briefcase that follows the President everywhere. Inside is communications equipment linking the President to the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon. To verify his identity, Trump would also need the “Biscuit,” a laminated card containing a secret authentication code. Without this verification, even the President cannot order a nuclear strike.
Wellerstein explains that “Elon Musk would have to either steal the Biscuit, gain access to the Football, and impersonate Trump’s voice, or simply convince Trump to order a strike himself.” While the former scenario is implausible, the latter is disturbingly realistic.
More concerning is the fact that the nuclear launch protocol exists at the discretion of the President. Trump could, at any time, alter the process to remove existing safeguards. “These are all executive rules,” Wellerstein notes. “Past presidents have delegated nuclear authorization in certain situations. Trump could, theoretically, grant Musk similar authority.”
Historically, presidents like Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson pre-authorized military commanders to use nuclear weapons under specific conditions. The idea that Trump might extend similar powers to Musk—who lacks security clearance and a military background—is unsettling.
A Greater Threat: The Undermining of Nuclear Safeguards
Beyond launch authority, Musk’s DOGE team presents another risk: access to classified nuclear-related information. Several DOGE staffers, including individuals with past connections to Russian cybercriminal networks, likely would not have received security clearances in a typical administration.
A State Department official warned that “every DOGE staffer is a potential security vulnerability. Foreign adversaries—China, Russia—would love to access personnel data. Background investigations reveal information on debts, family ties, and other potential blackmail material.”
Another overlooked concern is the management of nuclear waste. The U.S. still grapples with radioactive contamination from the Manhattan Project. The Biden administration allocated $8.2 billion to address Cold War-era nuclear waste, but DOGE’s disdain for environmental policies raises alarms. A government employee familiar with the issue worries that “Musk and his team might view these cleanup efforts as ‘woke’ and simply shut them down.”
The Dangers of Musk and DOGE’s Influence: “Nuclear Weapons”
The modernization of the U.S. nuclear arsenal—initiated under the Obama administration—is expected to take 25 years and cost nearly $2 trillion. This effort includes the construction of new nuclear submarines, warhead upgrades, software overhauls, and new missile silos across the country. Under normal circumstances, strict oversight would prevent fraud and mismanagement. However, with DOGE now involved in auditing the process, there are concerns about conflicts of interest and security breaches.
Musk and his team have repeatedly dismissed established security protocols, favoring a “move fast and break things” approach. Traditionally, individuals with such reckless disregard for national security would be kept far from classified operations. But these are not traditional times.
“For laws to work, people have to take them seriously,” Wellerstein cautions. “Right now, we are in uncharted territory.”
